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Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

North Carolina Early Childhood Association (NCECA) was established in 1960. NCECA’s mission is to improve the quality of child care in North Carolina. They are committed to making high quality child care available to all children in our state. Their membership includes parents, teachers, childcare center directors, family child care home providers and other child care professionals and advocates. The organization also advocates for improvement of the working environment for early childhood professionals. There are no jobs available at this particular organization.

Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children(MPPFC) that was founded in 1998, brings together all the people involved families, teachers, doctors, childcare professionals, caregivers, social workers, and community partners – to ensure children have all they need for healthy growth and development. MPPFC is a nonprofit organization that serves the birth to five population and their families. MPPFC is one of 79 Smart Start partnerships in our state, North Carolina. MPPFC works to support parents, child care facilities, and educators through collaborative programs. The mission of MPPFC is to make meaningful and measurable investments in the quality of life for young children and families in education, health and support services. MPPFC goal is to provide every child in Martin and Pitt Counties between the ages of birth to five the opportunity to experience a quality early childhood education. This organization stands out to me because there are professionals of different statuses working together for a common cause. MPPFC is one of 79 Smart Start partnerships in our state, North Carolina. MPPFC works to support parents, child care facilities, and educators through collaborative programs. There are no
current employment opportunities at this organization however, MPPFC offers a competitive salary and benefits, and a high-energy workplace. When there are openings on their staff, they advertise people to seek employment with them.

State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)– I chose this particular organization due to the fact that I will be moving to New Jersey by the end of October of this year. I was interested in learning to see if they had any program or organizations that resonate with me. I came across the New Jersey DCF and looked into and saw that it would be the kind of environment I would not mid working in because I get to work with the children and their families. The New Jersey DCF is the state’s first comprehensive agency dedicated to ensuring the safety, well-being and success of children, youth, families and communities. DCF’s vision is to ensure a better today and even a greater tomorrow for every individual they serve. Currently, DCF is staffed by approximately 6,600 employees and encompasses:

Adolescent Services

Centralized Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline

Child Protection and Permanency (formerly Youth and Family Services)

Children’s System of Care (formerly Child Behavioral Health Services)

Child Welfare Training Academy

Family and Community Partnerships (formerly Prevention and Community Partnerships)

Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit

Office of Licensing

Specialized Education Services

Women (transferred from DCA)

This organization has several jobs that are available but there is one that interest me and that is the position of TEACHER 1, 12 MONTHS (UNCLASSIFIED) or TEACHER 2, 12 MONTHS (UNCLASSIFIED). The following information will present what I would need in order to fulfill this job opportunity from the DCF website :

TEACHER 1, 12 MONTHS

DEFINITION: Under direction of the Supervisor of Educational Programs, plans, executes, and evaluates the lessons and educational experiences of the assigned pupils, class, or classes. Performs these duties exercising independent judgment and with a comprehensive knowledge of department rules, regulations, and policies; does related work.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Possession of a valid NJ Standard Teacher’s Certificate or Permanent Endorsement, issued by the Board of Examiners of the New Jersey Department of Education, authorizing instruction in subject areas appropriate to the teaching assignment, as determined by the head of a particular school or district.

DEFINITION: Under direction of the Supervisor of Educational Program, plans, executes, and evaluates lessons and educational experiences of assigned pupils, class, or classes; performs these duties exercising independent judgment and with a comprehensive knowledge of department rules, regulations, and policies; does other related work.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Possession of a valid New Jersey Teacher’s Certificate (Standard, Emergency or Provisional) or Permanent Endorsement, issued by the Board of Examiners of the New Jersey Department of Education, authorizing instruction in subject areas appropriate to the teaching assignment, as determined by the head of a particular school or district.

4 thoughts on “Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels”

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families sounds like a great start to the next chapter of your life in New Jersey. With all the services it provides your career in early child development is sure to flourish. Do you already have a job lined up for your move or do you think you will be pursuing one of the teacher positions currently available? I’m not familiar with New Jersey but looking at the services this organization offers has got me a little excited for you! The Child Welfare Academy stands out the most for me because it sounds like it would be a great opportunity to help educate other early childhood educators.

Great Post..colorful and insightful. I’m not familiar with them also, but I read the blog and I hope that the door will open for you in any or all of these areas and that you have to make a selection in which direction you want to go in. I think we have been in many classes throughout this process and I have read your blogs and discussions post enough to say that your heart is in the right place when it comes to early childhood education. Good luck in every aspect that you put you hands, mind and attention to.

Hi Dionna – North Carolina is the “early childhood state”! That’s what I’ve always called you all… 🙂 Years ago, we invited the “head guy” from the Smart Start initiative to speak to a large group of us in Southeast Michigan, to share how they got that smart start. NC is doing great and innovative things for young children! I’m feeling sad for you that you have to leave! But all the best as you travel to NJ for the next leg of your life journey. 🙂 The NJ DCF sounds like a promising place to start. I’m sure that armed with your newly acquired master’s degree, you will do well!

DCF just recently underwent a structural revamping. It has been said in the past year, since implementation, that their work has been more effective than ever. Another area to look is the NJ Dept. of Early Childhood Education. Although the DECE website doesn’t lend to many job opportunities, it can give a little insight into the state mandated structures within the ECE world. http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/research/